A woman who accused Sean 'Diddy' Combs of raping her two decades ago cannot proceed with her lawsuit without revealing her identity, according to a federal judge's ruling on Wednesday. The decision by US District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil in Manhattan could set a precedent for other civil lawsuits against the music mogul. Vyskocil determined that 'the balance of interests at stake weighs strongly' against the plaintiff, known as Jane Doe, from continuing to use a pseudonym.
The judge's reasoning could impact other civil lawsuits that have been or may be filed against the 54-year-old Combs in Manhattan federal court. Combs, who faces criminal sex trafficking charges, has pleaded not guilty in the criminal case and denied any wrongdoing in the civil cases. Doe, a Tennessee resident, alleged that Combs raped her and threatened her life at a Manhattan hotel in 2004 when she was 19. Her lawyers contended that using a pseudonym was necessary due to the sensitive nature of the accusations and the potential for physical and mental harm if her identity were revealed.
However, Vyskocil noted that several accusers, including singers Dawn Richard and Cassie (Casandra Ventura), have sued Combs under their real names. The judge also emphasized that Combs has the right to investigate Doe's background and credibility, and that there is a 'undeniable public interest' in identifying his accusers. 'Plaintiff's interest in avoiding public scrutiny, or even embarrassment, does not outweigh the interests of both Combs and the public in the customary and constitutionally-embedded presumption of openness in judicial proceedings,' Vyskocil wrote. 'Indeed, this is the kind of case that furthers the public's interest in enforcing legal and social norms,' she added.
Tony Buzbee, one of Doe's lawyers, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Buzbee represents many other male and female accusers suing Combs anonymously and has stated that he represents more than 150 victims. Combs' representatives declined to comment. In the criminal case, Combs' lawyers are also seeking for federal prosecutors to identify his alleged victims, arguing that it would assist Combs in responding to other accusers and preparing for the scheduled May 5, 2025 trial. They argue that Combs should not have to 'play a guessing game—one made all the more challenging by the onslaught of baseless allegations that desperate plaintiffs are lodging at him (for the most part anonymously) in civil suits designed to exact a payoff.' Combs was arrested on September 16 and is currently being held in Brooklyn. He is appealing his detention.
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